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FWIW, a lot of forums encourage people to respond to old threads rather than create new ones on the same subject.

I am with Jason on this; it helps keep information on a topic generally in one place. Is there really an expiration on information and knowledge?

Mary, why do you have a problem with this? As soon as I see a new post in an old thread, I can make a good living by betting people you will jump in within a post or two and bring to everyone's attention just how old the thread is

Because in almost all cases, it brings up an old dispute that wasn't resolvable in the first place, and that certainly isn't resolvable now. You know what I'm talking about, Greg -- people adding comments as if the original poster were still there reading the thread, and even though whatever point they're making has already been made a dozen times. The argument that "forums encourage it" isn't accurate: forums encourage people to contribute to ACTIVE threads if they have the same question, problem or issue. That makes perfect sense, because it avoids the problem of having half a dozen active threads on the same topic -- but I've never heard of a single forum that encouraged people to dig up old moldy threads, drag them back onto the front page, and answer a question that was answered a dozen times six years ago (which would accomplish the opposite effect).

Because in almost all cases, it brings up an old dispute that wasn't resolvable in the first place, and that certainly isn't resolvable now. You know what I'm talking about, Greg -- people adding comments as if the original poster were still there reading the thread, and even though whatever point they're making has already been made a dozen times. The argument that "forums encourage it" isn't accurate: forums encourage people to contribute to ACTIVE threads if they have the same question, problem or issue. That makes perfect sense, because it avoids the problem of having half a dozen active threads on the same topic -- but I've never heard of a single forum that encouraged people to dig up old moldy threads, drag them back onto the front page, and answer a question that was answered a dozen times six years ago (which would accomplish the opposite effect).

On the other hand, sometimes it brings up new slants on an old topic - something newer, anyway than the classic "this is an old thread" comment.

Anyway, if bringing up old topics again is verboten then...most new threads probably will never get started.

FWIW, a lot of forums encourage people to respond to old threads rather than create new ones on the same subject.

Yes, this is my experience too. It makes it much easier to organize the posts on a given subject, instead of having to search through many different threads.

Personally the one thing I do find frustrating about old threads on aikiweb is the one or two people who always jump in to comment on the age of the thread. Like, every single time. In other forums I've been in, people don't do that, by the way -- they either join the new/renewed conversation, or not, exactly the same as in any other thread, and if someone else isn't interested, they can freely choose not to read it -- exactly the same as in any other thread.

If the people who are currently discussing the topic are happy to discuss it, and if the moderator doesn't object (or hasn't chosen to close old threads automatically after a certain period of time), IMO it is no business of any random person's to go in and tell people to shut up.

Because in almost all cases, it brings up an old dispute that wasn't resolvable in the first place, and that certainly isn't resolvable now.

Then let's just not have an open discussion forum. Have a forum involving only pre-approved letters that are judged based on novelty and what they add to the subject. In real life, the same subject come up over and over again. That's life, frankly. If the moderator doesn't care, butt out.

i tried to bring this up once, too. and got nowhere. inmo, this happens because some folks imagine themselves as being at the center of these conversations, and so to see it pop up again is viewed as if they were being asked to take part in it again--even though it doesnt have to have anything to do with them if they dont want it to. as if no other people in the world could possibly be starting these conversations for themselves for the first time..

the unfairness about it, to me, is that, as was stated, the forum is set up to direct newer people to thread topics so as not to start a new one with the same topic; so naturally its going to pop back up in the front page ... oooo such an inconvenience ...

Hi, everyone. I've been tied up most of this year, and everytime I take the time to actually sign on instead of just reading without doing that, there is a little "Hi Diana" notice, mentioning I haven't posted in a while and to please take a few minutes.

I appreciate the kind word, so here I am. Being about a year and a half on AikiWeb, I just love old threads, but I can see Mary's point, sometimes the old threads are very very long, or have questions that are very old from people not active on the forums these days. I guess it all boils down to individual preference, would you prefer a fresh new thread with current people replying to it, or would you like to search further back on the threads to hunt out all the perspectives and points of view on a topic you are very interested in.

I guess it takes all kinds to make a world. I usually avoid heated discussions, by the way, because years ago I would try to see the point of view of both sides of any discussion or real dispute between people and get a symbolic black eye from both! That's how I got the nickname of Panda. Some of my former students remembered the story and actually sent a few letters or emails to me as The Great Panda as some sort of legendary character.

Well, enough about me. I just want to point out a feature where you can look up related threads if you scroll down. I have found some fascinating stuff that way. Or you can use the search function.

The irony is that if someone posts a new thread on an "old" subject, they are immediately deluged with scornful, "Do a search" comments. So they do a search and now want to comment on what they found. They can:
1. Resurrect the old thread and get jumped on, particularly if they disagree with a position on that old thread - and no, it's not the same as in a new thread, because the jumpers throw down their authority based on the history of the thread that shouldn't have been revived anyway.
2. Start a new thread, cite the old thread, as a response, have people comment that "we've already discussed this"

Aikiweb runs the risk, of becoming a rather closed little group, with a few factions, recycling the same discussions amongst the same people. New people join and are quickly put in their place - that whatever they attempt to discuss or ask about is old news - but don't you dare bring up the old news for a fresh look.

One thing about aikido that I've always liked (and that I personally don't think conflicts with it as a martial art) is that a lot of people who join get incredibly enthusiastic - in fact, they get really happy. There is something about the art that makes a lot of people joyful. I see such people post here on Aikiweb, and their enjoyment of discussing things is soon leached away. To be sure, some people, new or old, can be obnoxious with their agendas, and don't want to discuss anything - just be missionaries for their own position. Nonetheless, Aikiweb often reminds me of junior high, with a kid happy to be going to a new school trying to find a seat in the lunchroom.

The irony is that if someone posts a new thread on an "old" subject, they are immediately deluged with scornful, "Do a search" comments. So they do a search and now want to comment on what they found. They can:
1. Resurrect the old thread and get jumped on, particularly if they disagree with a position on that old thread - and no, it's not the same as in a new thread, because the jumpers throw down their authority based on the history of the thread that shouldn't have been revived anyway.
2. Start a new thread, cite the old thread, as a response, have people comment that "we've already discussed this"

Aikiweb runs the risk, of becoming a rather closed little group, with a few factions, recycling the same discussions amongst the same people. New people join and are quickly put in their place - that whatever they attempt to discuss or ask about is old news - but don't you dare bring up the old news for a fresh look.

One thing about aikido that I've always liked (and that I personally don't think conflicts with it as a martial art) is that a lot of people who join get incredibly enthusiastic - in fact, they get really happy. There is something about the art that makes a lot of people joyful. I see such people post here on Aikiweb, and their enjoyment of discussing things is soon leached away. To be sure, some people, new or old, can be obnoxious with their agendas, and don't want to discuss anything - just be missionaries for their own position. Nonetheless, Aikiweb often reminds me of junior high, with a kid happy to be going to a new school trying to find a seat in the lunchroom.

Ellis Amdur

Nice post, Ellis - I will trade you my peanut butter and jelly for that bologna sandwich you got